FBI copyright warning coming to more videos, books, etc.

7/12/12 11:39 AM EDT

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is giving more authors, software makers, video and filmmakers the right to use the FBI seal and copyright warning that appears on many movie DVDs at the moment.

Until now, companies wanting to use the seal as part of anti-pirating warnings had to be part of big industry associations, like the Motion Picture Association of America or the Recording Industry Association of America.

The FBI rejected suggestions that it revamp the warning to avoid "burnout" among viewers who ignore it. It also said it would not require copyright holders to prevent viewers from fast-forwarding through the warning, nor would it prohibit video-makers from using that no-skipping feature.

The new rules will mean the logo and warning can now be used on or in artwork, which seems almost certain to generate a spate of uses that the FBI will view as disrespectful.